Thai Air Force denies assassination plot against Suthep

[webfact]

Air Force denies assassination plot against protest leader

BANGKOK: -- The Air Force today dismissed a claim by anti-Thaksin regime leader Suthep Thuagsuban that it was plotting to assassinate him.

Suthep told his supporters at the Government Complex last night that he received reliable information that an assassination attempt has been plotted against him by the Air Force’s special operations force whose commander has close connection with the Shinawatra family.

He claimed Khunying Potchamarn, wife of the ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, was said to ask a senior air force officer in the special operation unit to get him and other protest leaders.

But at today’s press conference Air Force spokesman Air Mashal Mondhon Sajchukorn affirmed the neutral role of the Air Force and never prepared the use of force involving the current political turmoil.

The Air Force was monitoring the development of the situation closely as it considered that now the Air Force is being closely watched by all sides, prompting it to adopt cautious step in getting involved in the conflict.

He said the Air Force would act only it received official request from the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order, or order from its commander-in-chief.

The Air Force remains the people’s force and is ready to protect all the people and the sovereignty of the country. It will perform its duty under the framework of the rule of law, and will support all sides to turn to peaceful means to resolve the current conflict.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/air-force-denies-assassination-plot-protest-leader/

-- Thai PBS 2013-11-29

[jaidam]

Can anybody remember how many outspoken critics of the Shin regime have "dissapeared" or just been openly murdered over the years? I can think of southern rights lawyer, shipping Moo, Ekayuth, I wonder how many others have paid the ultimate price for highlighting His corrupt activities?

[sjjmmi]

No big deal

[mca]

Of course any "assassination" attempt would immediately make him a martyr which is highly unlikely what the government wants. In lieu of any concrete evidence from Suthep can we assume he's talking out of his arse to the converted? Keeping the faithful on board at his "sacrifice" for the country?

[jes]

If somebody wanted you dead Mr. Madman, then you would been dead long time ago. But this is just another way to get his gang of Hooligans, even more up on their feet.

[Artisi]

The Thai air force is rarely heard of in the context of political discussion, how ever - is it big enough / organised enough / powerful enough / does it have enough balls to usurp the military to mount a coup. Just an academic question as every one always assume this is the role of the army

[jdinasia]

Real threat? Probably not.

Pointing out the Thaksin connections in the military? Probably so.

Broaching the topic of assassination ... well it would not be the first Thaksin opponent to die....

[fstarbkk]

Thai libel laws being what they are, he'd better be able to prove his accusation. Then again, a defamation suit from Pojaman is probably the least of his problems in the coming months.

[Thainy Tim]

I think he is just covering his bases in case that is what is being considered as an option... Which it probably almost certainly has been.

I don't think it will happen though, because it will have a reverse effect from what is wanted from all sides. Not from just public rage, but more from what image it will blast out to the rest of the watching world. the last think Thakluck and the PTPers need.

[HyperRai]

Real threat? Probably not.

Pointing out the Thaksin connections in the military? Probably so.

Broaching the topic of assassination ... well it would not be the first Thaksin opponent to die....

Isn`t the military with the democrats?

[EvilDrSomkid]

Of course any "assassination" attempt would immediately make him a martyr which is highly unlikely what the government wants. In lieu of any concrete evidence from Suthep can we assume he's talking out of his arse to the converted? Keeping the faithful on board at his "sacrifice" for the country?

Exactly right. Do people really think Pojaman or any other Shin clan would even consider this? It would be like lighting the fuse to a bomb.

The country would erupt in civil war.

[Thait Spot]

Superkorn with his yellow shirt tucked into his sky blue undies might be more plausible

[Loles]

This man is manipulative pretty enough, he would be worthy replace for shinawatra family.

[xminator]

Superkorn with his yellow shirt tucked into his sky blue undies might be more plausible

Considering how he himself was in power during a similar headshot incident i 2010, I can see why he would look over his shoulder in case friends of Sae Daeng would want to use the opportunity to even the score.

[billd766]

Of course any "assassination" attempt would immediately make him a martyr which is highly unlikely what the government wants. In lieu of any concrete evidence from Suthep can we assume he's talking out of his arse to the converted? Keeping the faithful on board at his "sacrifice" for the country?

Perhaps he is saying exactly the same thing as Thaksin has said all along about assasination plots.

But of course you would take Thaksins word as gospel truth.

How many times has Thaksin or his son Oak claimed assasinationd attempt now including the one where the Thai Airways jet blew up several hours before he was due to board it?

[rubl]

Mind you, the Pheu Thai led government under PM Yingluck Shinawatra did light the fuse for the current anti-government protests by forcing through the 'blanket amnesty bill' they hope all will forget about soon.

Of course any "assassination" attempt would immediately make him a martyr which is highly unlikely what the government wants. In lieu of any concrete evidence from Suthep can we assume he's talking out of his arse to the converted? Keeping the faithful on board at his "sacrifice" for the country?

Exactly right. Do people really think Pojaman or any other Shin clan would even consider this? It would be like lighting the fuse to a bomb.

The country would erupt in civil war.

[JoeThePoster]

Suthep's having delusions that he warrants more than a motocy taxi bloke to snuff him out.

[mca]

Of course any "assassination" attempt would immediately make him a martyr which is highly unlikely what the government wants. In lieu of any concrete evidence from Suthep can we assume he's talking out of his arse to the converted? Keeping the faithful on board at his "sacrifice" for the country?

Perhaps he is saying exactly the same thing as Thaksin has said all along about assasination plots.

But of course you would take Thaksins word as gospel truth.

Why would I do that?

[Yunla]

Almost everything I've heard from Suthep over the last few days has been incendiary and actively promoting a nosedive into inevitable confrontation, mayhem and bloodshed.

My question is really why would an "ultra-royalist" as Suthep is described by some, want to bring about all this chaos and potential loss of life, on the month when VIP (who are in frail health and care about peace & harmony between all Thais) are celebrating their birthday.

Suthep has gone totally X-Files on me and I'm not sure that "I want to believe" in this anymore.

[anon467367354]

would anybody really expect a headline that would say something to the likes of

Thai air force admits to having plans to assassinate Suthep?

Is there a reason for this article in the first place?

They denied it, what don't they deny?

[backtonormal]

Of course any "assassination" attempt would immediately make him a martyr which is highly unlikely what the government wants. In lieu of any concrete evidence from Suthep can we assume he's talking out of his arse to the converted? Keeping the faithful on board at his "sacrifice" for the country?

Takes me back when Suthep and his merry band tried to show that the red shirts had plans to overthrow the monarchy back in 2010. Who believes this <deleted>...oh the rich middle classes (supposedly educated)

[ezzra]

If there are any plans to assassinate anybody, and I'm not advocating that it should be, than

they are directed at the wrong trouble's instigator.......

[jdinasia]

Superkorn with his yellow shirt tucked into his sky blue undies might be more plausible

Considering how he himself was in power during a similar headshot incident i 2010, I can see why he would look over his shoulder in case friends of Sae Daeng would want to use the opportunity to even the score.

You didn't think that through before clicking the "add reply" button did you? Suthep would be at least 3 down the list from who would have ordered the targeted killing of Sae Daeng. Sae daeng was fairly useful for the government in power in 2010. He exposed Thaksin, admitted to training troops and was a lightning rod for the military.

Similar things could happen here though. Suthep apparently has more than a few people he has PO'd in the past without even getting into political enemies or red shirts.

[GrantSmith]

"He claimed Khunying Potchamarn, wife of the ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, was said to ask a senior air force officer in the special operation unit to get him and other protest leaders.

But at today’s press conference Air Force spokesman Air Mashal Mondhon Sajchukorn affirmed the neutral role of the Air Force and never prepared the use of force involving the current political turmoil."

I note the Air Force didn't come out and deny that she approached them just claimed to be neutral...

[ratcatcher]

If somebody wanted you dead Mr. Madman, then you would been dead long time ago. But this is just another way to get his gang of Hooligans, even more up on their feet.

This is true, I think Suthep is being a bit over the top on this, maybe he was taking a leaf out of the people's hero Thaksin's book.

http://assassinationthaksin.wordpress.com/2013/02/28/a-short-story-the-assassination-attempt-on-thaksin/

[coobah666]

I think he has been watching that Nicholas Gage movie.

[toybits]

Now he is thinking he is going to be martyred? Large Egos can do strange things to a person...

[h90]

Thai libel laws being what they are, he'd better be able to prove his accusation. Then again, a defamation suit from Pojaman is probably the least of his problems in the coming months.

In Thailands law it can be also a libel if the fact is true.

[casindonet]

Guess the RTAF needs to try out their gripens.....hmmm....will it be the side winders or laser guided bombs or expiring cluster bombs?

[captspectre]

No big deal

wasn't this idiot defeated in a FREE Thai election last rear? I wish that we could do this kind of crap in the U.S. the cockroach in the white house would be gone! but unfortently we are governed by the rule of law and not able to throw out anyone we don't like by riot.